Protests in Bahrain after detainee dies in police custody

Anti-government protesters throw back canisters of tear gas shot by the police in Sitra, southeast of Manama, on Thursday, Jan. 26.

Reuters reports — Bahrain's Interior Ministry said on Thursday that a man detained by police over "acts of sabotage" died in hospital while in custody, without elaborating on the cause of death.

Bahrain last year crushed protests led by its Shi'ite Muslim majority demanding an end to sectarian discrimination and limits to the authority of the Sunni ruling family, relying in part on backing from troops from fellow Sunni-led Gulf monarchies.

More than a thousand people were detained in the crackdown, at least four of whom died in official custody. An inquiry Bahrain commissioned into the protests and government crackdown found systematic abuse of detainees, including torture. Full story.

Caren Firouz / Reuters

Anti-government protesters gesture to the police in Sitra, southeast of Manama, Jan. 26.